Foreign and Commonwealth Office

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands: Marine Protected Areas

lord haworth: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the consultation process about extending marine protection measures around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has been completed; what additional measures for its Marine Protected Area are envisaged; and when they are expected to be implemented.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​The South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands sustainable-use Marine Protected Area (MPA) underwent its first 5-yearly review during 2018. The MPA review panel published its report on 7 November, concluding that the current MPA is achieving its objectives, whilst also making a series of recommendations to further strengthen protection of the Territory's waters. The Commissioner for South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands announced, on 12 December, a suite of environmental enhancements to the MPA. These include extending the MPA across the entire maritime area; protecting 23 per cent of the MPA to all commercial fishing activities; and prohibiting mining, hydrocarbon extraction and carriage of heavy fuel oil. The majority of these measures have put in place; the remaining measures are in the process of being implemented by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Tankers: Security

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the safe passage of British tankers overseas.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The shipping industry is understandably concerned about recent regional tensions and attacks on international shipping in the Persian Gulf. These events culminated in Iran's illegal seizure of the Stena Impero, a UK-flagged tanker, on 19 July.It is vital to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation and ensure that merchant shipping can pass through the Gulf safely. That begins with clear information flows between Government and the shipping industry. The Department for Transport (DfT) regularly reviews threats and reporting worldwide and issues the most up to date advice available to operators to assist with their risk assessments, to enable their safety while travelling overseas.In late July, following the illegal seizure of the Stena Impero, the Royal Navy began to accompany British-flagged ships in the region to provide reassurance to the shipping industry. In parallel, we have been talking to allies and partners about the threat to international shipping in the region. On 5 August, the Government announced its decision to join an international maritime security construct in the Gulf, focused on freedom of navigation and restoring safe passage for shipping. The mission involves the Royal Navy working with international partners to accompany merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, building on existing cooperation which has seen Royal Navy vessels accompany 50 merchant ships through the Strait since 24 July.Our participation in this construct is focused entirely on the issue of reassuring the shipping industry and deterring further attacks. The Government has not changed its wider policy towards Iran. We remain committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which is the best way to prevent a nuclear armed Iran. We are not part of the US maximum pressure campaign and have no wish to escalate tensions with Iran, but we also have to ensure that international law and rules are upheld and respected.

International Religious Freedom Alliance

the lord bishop of leeds: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the International Religious Freedom Alliance launched by theUnited States Secretary of State on 18 July; and what consideration they have given to joining that Alliance.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​The United States State Department are yet to share details with us on the proposed International Religious Freedom Alliance. When we receive more information, we will consider our approach.